3 hours agoUS orders Turkey, other countries not to buy Russian weapons
Periskopi(5 years ago)
(5 years ago)US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Turkey and all US allies to refrain from buying Russian weapons, as they may otherwise face more American sanctions. Tensions between the US and Turkey have escalated over a range of issues, starting with buying Russian missile defence systems [...]
Tensions between the US and Turkey have escalated over a series of issues, starting with the purchase of Russian missile defence systems on Ankara's part, then human rights and the recognition of the Armenian genocide by US President Joe Biden.
Last year, Washington suspended Turkey from its programme of secret F-35 fighter aircraft, the TCh reports.
Ankara signed the deal with Moscow in 2017, rationalising the acquisition with its security needs. Turkish officials have said Russian systems will not be integrated into NATO defence infrastructure.
The delivery of the first four missile batteries -- from Russia to Turkey -- began in July 2019.
Blinken also said that the genocide of the massacre against Armenians by the Ottoman Empire in 1915 should not be surprising, given President Biden's widely recognised views.
Turkey's presidential spokesman said Sunday the Biden statement was “just insulting” and that Turkey would respond in the coming months.
